Despite his claims to the contrary, Batt hasn't changed— he's just learned to play nice in public this time around (acting talent does run in the family, after all). We saw this side of Jay once before, when he ousted Scott Shea in 2002, but as soon as the election was over, he made a 180 degree flip-flop and the real Jay took office... to the detriment of the residents of District A.

The top ten reasons not to vote for Jay Batt in 2006 remain just as valid in 2010. Click on 'Read More' for the details...

10. Jay is a master at patronage.

9. Jay has engaged in campaign finance abuse.

8. Jay did nothing to clean up City Hall.

7. Jay associates with known ethics-violaters.

6. Jay rewards his friends and contributors to the detriment of his constituents.

5. Jay has failed to take politics out of the city's planning process.

4. Jay is anti-neighborhood.

3. Jay is anti-preservation.

2. Jay takes care of himself at our expense.

1. Because 'Anybody But Jay Batt' will always be better for the residents of District A!

Here are the details:

10. Jay has become a master at patronage.
- Jay promised to "root out patronage at City Hall" (TP 2/27/02) and to end "shakedowns" by "consultants" (TP 3/4/00, 4/6/00). Didn’t happen in his first term, won't happen if he's re-elected!
- In 2004, Jay voted for $250,000 "voter education" contract for his longtime campaign consultant Bill Kearney (TP 10/23/04). Eddie Sapir’s buddy Larry McKinley shared in the contract. "It’s worth noting," the TP reported, "that . . . Kearney ran both of Councilman Batt’s election campaigns." Sapir admitted that "the council wanted some say in who got hired." (TP 10/23/04)
- Campaign consultant got "consulting contract" with Churchill Downs while Jay was negotiating with Churchill over slot machines at Fairgrounds (TP 5/18/05). The TP commented: "Churchill does appear to have some idea of how the game is played hereabouts, however, and retained the services of Batt’s pal, political consultant Bill Kearney" (TP 5/18/05). Sounds like a consultant shakedown to us! Another campaign promise broken by Jay!
- Pushed bars, hotels, and condos for contributors and accepted thousands of dollars from condo and hotel developers and French Quarter and University-area bar owners.

9. Jay has engaged in campaign finance abuse.
- Jay used his campaign funds for meals at expensive restaurants, including Smith & Wollensky, the Grill Room, Ruth’s Chris, Commander’s Palace, Clancy’s, Emeril’s and Galatoire’s. In 2004 alone, Jay spent over $17,000 in restaurants like these. He used campaign funds for "gifts" from the Rex organization and memberships in the New Orleans Museum and the Audubon Nature Institute. He also used campaign donations to purchase $4,500 in Sugar Bowl tickets. (See campaign reports at "Campaign Finance Notes")

8. Jay has done nothing to clean up City Hall.
- In his first four years on the City Council, Jay did nothing to fill the vacant positions of City Inspector General and the City’s Ethics Review Board. These boards have been on the books for years. The politicians have always refused to make appointments or to fund the positions. A real reformer would have insisted that these positions be filled and funded, and surprise!... Shelley Midura did just that.

7. Jay associates with known ethics-violaters.
- How many of your friends have been cited by the State’s Ethics Board? At least two of Jay’s close associates have been implicated in unethical schemes.
- Bryan Wagner, a "Batt Buddy" and Jay’s mentor, was cited for his participation in a scheme to split a $500,000 commission on City insurance policies. The State Ethics Board condemned the scheme as "receiving a thing of value for the performance of public duties" (TP 6/15/05). Wagner had earlier tried to get a $750,000 commission from a School Board insurance contract. (La. Weekly, 4/8/02). Recently, it's been revealed that Wagner has been profiting from Jefferson Parish's Red-Light Cameras to the tune of $300,000 per year. (TP 1/27/10)

6. Jay rewards his friends and contributors to the detriment of his constituents.
- Jay has failed to manage increasing problems with alcoholic beverage outlets.
- Pushed a huge new college bar on Maple St for his friend David Melius at the same time students were increasingly being found unconscious on area sidewalks, and eleven Tulane students were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
- Appointed "Batt Buddy" and ethics violator Bryan Wagner to City ABO Board. Wagner has defended the Bruno’s project as "economic development" (TP 6/23/04). Given his ethics record (see # 7), we have to wonder just whose economics will be developed!
- Took money from University area bars, including the Boot and Bruno’s, and from French Quarter Bar owners. (See campaign reports at "Campaign Finance Notes")

5. Jay has failed to take politics out of the city's planning process.
- In four years, Jay did nothing to push completion of the city's Master Plan.
- Jay claims to follow the decisions of the Planning Commission, but in fact, he pushes projects for friends and contributors. (See #4, below)
- Jay had become part of the chaotic planning process in the City before Katrina. Can we trust him to help plan the City post-Katrina? How many opportunities will he take to help his buddies?

4. Jay is anti-neighborhood.
- Backed a new and expanded Maple St bar (Bruno’s) over opposition from 6 neighborhood groups to favor his friend and contributor, David Melius. The ordinance pushed by Jay cut the parking recommended by the Planning Commission from 45 to 21, and extended closing from midnight to 3 a.m. Later, he pushed a plan to reduce the parking requirement to as few as 11 and to allow parking on sidewalks. Jay withdrew this proposal as the election approached, but will probably reintroduce it if re-elected. [Note: Though Jay has fought to reduce the parking requirement from 45 to 11, the TP reported early on that "Batt had said he was worried primarily about a lack of off-street parking" (TP 1/1/04). Explain that flip-flop, Jay!]
- Against the recommendation of the City Planning Commission, extended multi-family residential zoning to allow 21-floor condo on West End just 8 feet from nearby residences (TP, 3/22/05). Again, Jay’s contributors were involved.

3. Jay is anti-preservation.
- Broke the 35-year French Quarter Hotel Moratorium. The TP said the plan posed the "danger" that "tourism will overwhelm the Quarter" (TP, 7/20/05). Batt insisted on voting on the project while Oliver Thomas, who had voted against the project, was out-of-town, though French Quarter Councilwoman, Jackie Clarkson, asked him to defer (TP 7/15/05).

2. Jay takes care of himself at our expense.
- Had the City supply him with a $37,000 fully loaded Ford Expedition, the most expensive vehicle on the council. (Don’t even ask what the gas is costing us!) (TP 7/15/05)

1. Because 'Anybody But Jay Batt' would still be better for the residents of District A than going Battwards!
- Jay has three challengers. Follow our links to their web sites. Take the time to vote for Anybody But Batt! Don't be fooled by the seemingly new and improved Jay Batt!